New statistics have revealed nearly a quarter of young Australians aged 18-29 are the most likely section of society to say they don’t care at all how their food and fibre is grown.
The 2018 National Agriculture Day Poll conducted by TEG Insights has found that almost a quarter (23pc) of people in that age range say they don’t care at all how their food and fibre is grown.
This figure is eight pc higher than for Australians aged 30 – 49.
The AgDay Poll is commissioned annually by the National Farmers’ Federation to gauge the community’s connection to the farm sector.
NFF CEO Tony Mahar said the apathy displayed by 18 to 29 year olds was cause for concern.
“This is meant to be a demographic with a deep social conscience, yet almost one in four couldn’t care less how the food they put in their mouths is grown,” Mr Mahar said.
“While some might say this is a credit to the quality, safety and abundance of food and fibre we produce in Australia, it’s troubling that as a country we’re growing increasingly disconnected from life’s essentials.”
The AgDay Poll also found that more than half (52pc) of 18 – 29 year olds felt disconnected with farming and uninformed about the industry.
This was unsurprising, given 65pc said they hadn’t had any contact with a single farmer in the past 12 months.
“We have to do a better job at getting in front of the community, and having an open and honest conversation about what we do.”
Mr Maher said farmers risked seeing generations of Australians with no understanding of where their food and fibre came from.
The Poll findings coincide with National Agriculture Day on November 21 – an awareness campaign led by the NFF to highlight the farm sector’s contribution.
“This year, we’re celebrating AgDay under the theme ‘Grow for Good’.” Mr Maher said.
“It’s all about highlighting the progress our industry is making each year by farming smarter and more sustainably.
“There is a great story to tell about Australian agriculture.
“Whether it’s strengthening communities by providing jobs; growing more food and fibre to meet surging demand; or taking better care of our planet – each year we’re improving what we do, and making the world a better place to live.”
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
